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Five deny football pitch hearse disorder

Supplied The abandoned hearse in the middle of the grass pitch, covered with tyre tracks, and a scattering of pamphlets on the ground. Football supporters are huddled around the perimeter of the pitch. It was an overcast day.Supplied
A hearse was abandoned on a football pitch in Gateshead in 2023

Five men have denied a raft of charges after a funeral hearse was driven onto a football pitch three years ago.

The incident, which took place during half time at the Dunston UTS v Gateshead match at Dunston Football Club, is believed to have been linked to a number of others.

These included reports of criminal damage across addresses in the Dunston and Byker areas, as well as a report of a stolen vehicle from the Durham area.

Appearing at Newcastle Crown Court, the five - aged between 31 and 53 - have pleaded not guilty to all charges against them and will return to the court on 1 November.

The accused are:

  • Carl Barron, 43, of Grange Villa, County Durham, charged with two counts of conspiracy to commit criminal damage, conspiracy to make threats to kill and conspiracy to steal
  • Ian Boddy, 44, previously of Bishop Auckland, County Durham, charged with conspiracy to steal and participating in the activities of an organised crime group
  • Darren Kay, 31, of Chester-Le-Street, County Durham, charged with conspiracy to make threats to kill
  • Graeme Rutherford, 54, of Birtley, Gateshead, charged with two counts of conspiracy to commit criminal damage and conspiracy to make threats to kill
  • John Wright, 42, of Tow Law, County Durham, charged with two counts of conspiracy to commit criminal damage, conspiracy to make threats to kill and conspiracy to steal

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